A good father reveals three secrets for surviving disasters

Nothing like being a father.

I always knew Father’s Day was coming when Jack was little, because he would ask me what size cologne I wear.

Father and son
Steve and Jack Blaising at the Blaising farm December 2017/Kate Blaising

When I was raising teenagers, I had a satellite TV, a smartphone and a laptop and my kids told me I was out of touch.

Somebody said a father is a man with pictures in his wallet, where his money used to be.

Jokes aside, fathers are the ones we consult when unnatural disasters like war or mass shootings shake the world.

Since the Ukraine and Gaza wars are rattling our souls, I thought it appropriate to share my dad’s old school advice for surviving chaos.

My father at 93
Dad at his farm in Riesel, TX 2017/Kate Blaising

All his tips came on a filming trip to San Antonio by dad’s childhood landmarks.

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A good father reveals three secrets for surviving disasters

Dump Everyday Doldrums With a New Song for Joy

Add joy to your soul with a new music venue.

I ordered a Jean Paul alto saxophone a week before Thanksgiving wondering if I would remember the keys, let alone read and play music.

But, the spark to play was ignited out of a desire to do something new and fresh for myself, family and friends.

Launch holiday sax

Through an app called Tomplay, I found wonderful music and accompaniment for a holiday play list.

  • What a Wonderful World
  • Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
  • Never My Love
  • Swan Lake-Tchaikovsky

Merriment surrounded us before Thanksgiving dinner.

My 18-month-old grandnephew was swaying while family and friends were smiling.

Then, I started thinking how joy is launched by simply playing a new song.

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Dump Everyday Doldrums With a New Song for Joy

Boost Your Infrastructure This Holiday Season With Two Words

The President signed a $1,200,000,000,000 infrastructure bill into law.

Why not sign your own “roads and bridges” bill?

Infrastructure for the soul
Under the Morning Glory Natural Bridge near Moab, Utah/Photo by Bridget Guthrie

Two words build bridges into the richest resources.

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Boost Your Infrastructure This Holiday Season With Two Words

How To Make Your Dad Last Forever

I think the first time I realized dad’s mortality was the phone call, “What are the test results, Dad?”

“It’s cancer,” he replied evenly. And then the longest silence I can ever remember. I knew little about prostate cancer at the time. But, the “C” word horrified me because the next question was, “How far has it spread? Is it contained?”

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How To Make Your Dad Last Forever